Month: September 2013

MOSCOW PUTS FORTH NEW DEMAND TO ARMENIA

Russian Railways may lose 93.2 b rubles in 2014 unless the fare is
reviewed. The loss may result in 62,000 redundant employees, RIA
Novosti reported. If the fare remains the same, the company may have
to save money on modernization of infrastructures which might affect
security, as well as cut staff and investments.

Recently the Russian Prime Minister Medvedev has instructed to keep
fares, as well as prices of all the natural monopolies at the level
of 2013.

Russian Railways operates the Armenian railways for 30 years.

Operations are run by South Caucasian Airlines.

When Serzh Sargsyan met with Putin on September 3 and announced to
join the Customs Union, it was also announced that Armenia and Russia
have achieved several important agreements, one of them being Russia’s
willingness to invest 15 b for the development of the Armenian railway.

Can a company that is facing reductions and need for savings invest
15b in Armenia? For the sake of what should it make this investment
when Armenia has already stated to join the Customs Union and has
spoiled its relations with Europe and ruined its own reputation?

Russia does not have a political or economic rationale to invest
15b rubles. The Armenian railway is a closed cycle, and the Turkish
border is closed and will continue to be, while Abkhazia and Georgia
dismissed Arthur Baghdasaryan’s statement on reopening the Abkhazian
railway before it had left the lips of the secretary of the Armenian
National Security Council.

The Russian government is not stupid to invest 15 billion in a
dead-end siding. It is more probable that Russia will demand something
from Armenia for those 15 billion rubles. I don’t mean that Serzh
Sargsyan will be made to congratulate not only the election of the
mayor of Moscow, which he did today, but also the mayors of Abakan,
Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Vologda, Voronezh, Khabarovsk, Petrozavodsk
and Vladivostok. The stipulation could be extension of the concession
on the railway for several dozens more years or simply privatize the
railways to Russia following the model of ARG.

Hakob Badalyan 15:28 11/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN COMMUNISTS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT CUSTOMS UNION DEAL

13:02 11.09.13

Top figures of the Communist Party of Armenia have hailed President
Serzh Sargsyan’s statement expressing Armenia’s support the Russian-led
Customs Union.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the first and second secretaries
of the party, Ruben Tovmasyan and Tachat Sargsyan, described the move
as revolutionary and talented.

“Armenia has always pursued pro-Russian trends. Economically, Russia,
Kazakhstan and Belarus offer a very big market to Armenia,” Tovmasyan
noted.

According to him, membership in Eurasian Customs Union will also
boost the development of Armenia’s military industries. “This is a
delicate process, so it is necessary to be very flexible,” he added.

Tovmasyan further warned against any attempts of overshadowing the
Armenian-Russian relations, noting that Russia itself has never voiced
threats against Armenia.

As for the opinions that the president might have made the decision
under pressure, the politician denied such allegations. He considered
such statements pro-Western remarks aimed to “detach” Armenia from
Russia.

He said a membership in the Customs Union will help create more jobs
in Armenia, developing the economy and industries.

Speaking further, the party’s second secretary criticized the
opposition for the statements that Armenia may lose its independence
in case of joining the Customs Union. He considered such remarks
baseless opinions.

Armenian News – Tert.am

CHORRORD INQNISHKHANUTYUN: EUROPE KNEW OF ARMENIA’S CUSTOMS UNION PLAN?

10:49 11.09.13

Before his landmark statement in Moscow, expressing Armenia’s
commitment to join the Eurasian Customs Union, President Serzh Sargsyan
had reportedly met European officials to tell them about the plan.

Citing its sources, the paper says that his private visit to Croatia
in late August was aimed at keeping European partners in the know of
the move.

An official statement issued by the Presidential Office gave no
details about the visit, says the paper, adding that the political
circles too, were somewhat indifferent to that. Days later Secretary
of the National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan said his agency
had informed the partners in Europe that Armenia had decided to sign
the Customs Union declaration.

The president is said to have really met with high-ranking European
officials in Croatia to tell them about the plan. His statement
reportedly came as a surprise to the Europeans but they nonetheless
refrained from demanding any explanations, the paper adds. Instead,
Sargsyan himself had to explain to them the security concerns over
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, saying that the country’s borders and
the liberated areas surrounding Karabakh are under Russian protection,
comments the paper.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

WHAT WILL BEIJING DO AFTER WHAT YEREVAN DID TO BRUSSELS?

China has pledged a 16 million dollar loan to Armenia for different
programs. This was stated during the meeting of the prime ministers
of Armenia and China. At the same time, the Chinese prime minister
announced about his country’s willingness to make investments in
Armenia, develop tourism to Armenia, as well as place Armenian brandy,
jewelry and other goods on the Chinese market.

The statement is impressive indeed but perhaps things will not go
beyond 16 million dollars. In other words, it will remain as the only
output, like the Chinese tractors and buses which were presented to
Armenia. Armenia is still waiting for the Chinese investments but
they are not coming. Some 500 million dollars were considered when
Fortune Oil, an offshore company, bought the iron mine of Hrazdan
but the project caused serious environmental concerns, and Armenia
does not need obscure offshore investments but real initiatives which
will not only change the social balance but also bring a new culture
of relations.

In this regard, China is a valuable partner but partnership does not
go beyond compliments. Armenia has been facing China for many years.

In the beginning, the focus was on defense. Serzh Sargsyan as minister
of defense had frequent visits to China. Then the visits rose to
the level of the prime minister and president. Robert Kocharyan and
Andranik Margaryan visited Beijing.

By the way, Serzh Sargsyan was informed about the sudden death of
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on his way to Beijing and cancelled
the visit and returned home.

Then Serzh Sargsyan visited China as a president. The Armenian
government hailed the participation of Armenia in the international
expo in Shanghai with the assistance of the Chinese side. Armenia
presented a global city model which, according to the Armenian side,
was highly appreciated and noted.

Nevertheless, the key output of mutual visits was donations, not
investments. The Chinese donate tractors and buses to Armenia. They
still do. Instead, the largest investment program was implemented
in China, not in Armenia, where a rubber manufacturing facility was
established jointly with Armenia. Meanwhile, the Chinese were not
interested in the Armenian chemical company Nairit. Either it was
not lucrative or they understood that Nairit has a dark history and
one may lose its way there.

A few years ago official Yerevan came up with a specific proposal to
Chine – the Armenian-Iranian railway. The speaker of the National
Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan conveyed the proposal to China and China
gently turned it down.

After the announcement to join the Customs Union the Chinese priority
is acquiring a new stage for Armenia. It is interesting whether
Armenia equally acquired a new shade for China.

Tigran Sargsyan who said against the Customs Union a few months ago
has announced that Armenia is aspiring for the observer status to
Shanghai Cooperation Organization and seeks China’s support.

The organization has six members: Russia, China, Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirgizstan. Observer members are India,
Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan. Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are
partners to the SCO.

The prime minister of China has announced to consider the issue of
granting an observer status to Armenia.

Apparently, Yerevan is thus trying to handle the consequences of
the decision on joining the Customs Union, showing that Armenia
has a broader perspective of the situation, and the Customs Union
is merely one of the milestones of this perspective rather than a
compulsory decision.

The key question is what economic benefits Armenia will have. China
takes interest in the South Caucasus, which is natural, considering
the growing influence of this country in the world. However, China
is mostly interested in Georgia. Recently the role of Armenia in
the Caucasus had risen essentially over the past few years but the
Armenian government successfully stopped the growth by the decision
of September 3, displaying another example of inadequacy.

With the fresh example, is it possible to attract China and expect
serious intentions and initiatives when Beijing saw what happened to
the Western intentions and initiatives relating to Armenia.

Hakob Badalyan 11:34 11/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

NAIL OF BLACKMAIL: SERZH SARGSYAN PREFERRED VICTIMIZING ARMENIA INSTEAD OF HIMSELF

Interview with Arthur Sakunts, head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly
Vanadzor Office

Armenia’s membership to the Customs Union is on the agenda today. What
should the civil society be doing?

Today a challenge to independence is on our agenda. Serzh Sargsyan’s
challenge of joining the Customs Union eventually puts forth political
demands. Now a goal is set which has a political importance and will
impart our disobedience with a political nature.

What implications does membership to the Customs Union have for the
development of Armenia?

I will tell you something interesting. Let’s try to figure it out. It
is nevertheless clear what the CU is, judging by the quality of the
current government and governance of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

In the case of Armenia, considering the closed borders, the only
visible model is isolation. This is a situation similar to North Korea
where the regime feeds people on ideas on international imperialism and
enemies. The Armenian government will lead the country to isolation,
while isolation results in stagnation. As soon as membership to the
Customs Union is established, we will end up so very soon. And in
this case, while we were moving towards the solution of problems
with difficulty but at least there was a vector of opportunities to
resolve problems, now these opportunities disappear.

Moreover, regress replaces opportunities, and these problems become
deciding.

Will Europe change the format of cooperation?

Certainly Europe cannot be indifferent in any case, it is not
indifferent to Belarus, Kazakhstan. Unlike Belarus, however, which
is integrated with Russia, Armenia will also be called a member but
it will be an isolated territory rather than an integrated territory.

Without resolving our problems we will become Russia’s lever in the
hands of the so-called Customs Union in its relationship with the EU.

The European countries will keep us in focus, under monitoring by
way of reports on the state of human rights. Certainly, without
opportunities for development there will be no development programs,
which means the minimum level of relations not to allow Armenia to be
used as a threat relating to Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations.

The rule in Europe is to help those who want to help themselves. And if
we do not want to help, Europe cannot withdraw us from this situation
dragging by the hair. This is not the way in politics. It works with
you patiently until you understand how you can resolve the problems
and it cannot fish for you all the time. In fact, Serzh Sargsyan chose
to have someone else to fish for him. And Putin said I will fish for
you. This is misery. Now Europe is in a difficult situation because the
expectations that were formed in at least seven years were different.

This situation proves that the decision was subjective and stemmed
from individual interests. This means that a person is so detached
from the reality in Armenia that he made a decision that stems from
his own personal interest. It is nonsense to refer to the Karabakh
issue to explain membership to the Customs Union as a guarantee of
security. How can one be a guarantee of our security if one speaks
the language of threat? Serzh Sargsyan saved himself because Putin and
the Armenian elite in the face of Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan
are accomplices to the crime of March 1. In other words, the nail of
the blackmail which they cannot speak about openly was their link to
the crime and if this crime is revealed, Serzh Sargsyan and Robert
Kocharyan should be the first to be convicted for committing a state
crime. Serzh Sargsyan preferred to victimize the country instead
of him. Now is a critical moment. Common sense is that the issue
is serious, and Europe acknowledges its mistake because it should
have made an adequate evaluation on 1 March 2008. Europe’s softness
resulted in such a situation because if a crime is not evaluated in
principle, the criminals get away with impunity and they are ready to
repeat the crime, which Serzh Sargsyan did during his meeting with
Putin. If Serzh Sargsyan thinks that he keeps fire under control by
kindling it, he is badly mistaken. This is very much similar to the
last years of the Soviet Union.

The government does not enjoy confidence, and Serzh Sargsyan is
making a mistake after another because he is anxious, he has run out
of opportunities and resources to cover up the crime. Meanwhile,
Europe may have a huge influence on revealing the crime. Problems
have occurred and there are opportunities for their solution, and
one needs a real battle of Sardarapat, not a Sardarapat Initiative
or a pre-parliament.

14:09 11/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PUTIN NOT TO VISIT ARMENIA? – NEWSPAPER

September 11, 2013 | 08:25

YEREVAN. – Russian Federation (RF) President Vladimir Putin’s visit
to Armenia was expected in the latter half of September, Azg daily
reports.

“A source close to the Kremlin, however, informs that this visit will
not take place.

“According to an assumption, the reason might be that Putin has
received what he wanted from Armenia and what he earlier expected to
receive during his visit to Armenia.

“For reasons known only to him, Putin accelerated the processes
and received what was to be received during [Armenian President]
Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to RF. So, there is no need for Putin’s visit
to Armenia.

“According to another assumption, Putin is very sensitive toward
discontent against him and he does not want to witness the expressions
of the current anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia, which [i.e., the
expressions] could especially be manifested during the days of his
visit,” Azg writes.

To note, as a result of the talks that were held on September 3
in Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan
and Vladimir Putin, it was announced that Armenia plans to join the
Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

THIS IS NOT THE VICTORY, BUT THE BANKRUPTCY OF ARMENIA

September 11 2013

According to the expert of international studies Armen Kharazyan, the
thesis about the Russian pressures is deniable that Armenia allegedly
could not resist without endangering the country. – On September 3,
as a result of Sargsyan-Putin negotiations in Moscow it became clear
that Armenia is going to join the Customs Union. In your opinion, what
was the result driven by RA authorities to make this decision? What
inner political, regional processes could affect the decision-making
process? And the next, as a result of this decision, do you feel
rearrangements in the inner political system of Armenia possible? –
The answer to the first question is the failure of the statehood
culture in Armenia. The apologists of the Customs Union justify that
we solve not the issue of the statehood but the survival, to which the
independence may subordinate. They recall the last 700 years, saying
that it is possible to develop in stateless or quasi-state conditions,
and in the geopolitical position, like ours, being protectorate is more
preferable than the sovereign, because it is just physically safe,
while the independence is a heavy, over and above the shoulders of
Armenians. Today, this concern, unfortunately, is dominant not only in
the government of Armenia, but also in circles close to the government,
the opposition and the society, at large. It has acquired a systemic
quality, leading to over-dependence on Russia. This is evident in all
areas, military, economic, political, humanitarian, and household. The
phenomenon is a legacy of the Soviet and even earlier period. During
the independence, it was to be overcome. Unfortunately, with the
exception of the early 90s, Armenia not only did nothing to throw
off this legacy, but gradually restored and renovated it. Today,
almost all levers of influence on Armenia’s life belong to Russia,
and the pathological conviction of being dependent from external
leadership, inadequacy and own meanness is clearly displayed in
the public psychology. There is not other society in the world that
has been so indifferent and will-less towards its independence and
sovereignty as it is Armenia, today. Sargsyan’s decision on joining
the Customs Union is a logical refuge of this process. It did not
ripen in one day, but it is the result of more than a half a decade
of state-public crisis and the bankruptcy of values. The problems
absolutely are not in internal, external, or regional challenges, but
the lack of our will and ability to respond to them. Unfortunately,
this mission failed with regard to both directions. The second part
of the question whether inner political rearrangements are possible,
I think it does not matter. If Armenia should come out of this abyss,
we need new forces and new ideas, and not restoration of the old ones.

The old ones have already told their word, and the result of it is
this. Whether there will be a new force, whether a new goal will be
formulated, whether people will support it, the change will take place,
if not, the third Republic of Armenia can be considered exhausted. –
The members of Armenia’s ruling party say that the most of Europeans
approached Armenia’s decision with understanding because “it is first
of all conditioned by the issues of security, and this is more than
understandable in political circles.” Is the independence of Armenia,
sovereignty and security provided by joining the Customs Union, and
through Moscow? How do you generally feel about recent attempts of
justifying similar formulations regarding the RA “security” with this
decision? – Customs Union is a trade-economic integration mechanism,
which is to restore control of Russia over the former Soviet states
and to suspend the integration of these states to Europe. I am not
aware of a serious study on the economic impact of the membership,
and its comparative analysis with the EU perspective, and I’m not
sure that the leadership of Armenia has similar document at hand. The
problem was presented to the RA leadership, and was perceived as a
political, and a political decision was made.

Meanwhile, just in the sense of political, this Customs Union
is not supporting, but preventing the development of Armenia,
not strengthening, but disorganizing the country’s sovereignty,
accordingly, the arguments about security are absurd. Security and
independence are issues of different plane. The security is the
component of independence. In joining the Customs Union, Armenia
further deepens its dependence on Russia. How can it contribute to our
security? Maybe the RA leaders have the illusion that Russia will take
on greater responsibility for the security of Armenia. But don’t we
already have CSTO, Russian military base in Gyumri, and the Russian
troops guarding the border of Armenia. What does this Customs Union
add to the security of Armenia, which was not provided by the existing
military-political cooperation? The sober answer is obvious: nothing.

In fact, the only serious concern regarding the security is that, if
Armenia did not agree to go to the Customs Union, then Russia would
have exerted leverages to indicate that the security of Armenia is
in danger. This is quite possible. But isn’t this the most evident
evidence of the reality that in the Armenian-Russian relations Armenia
has passed all possible margins, and each such concession does not
threaten the security of Armenia, but its statehood in general. –
Recently, during the EPP Political Assembly, a resolution was adopted,
in which the pressure exerted by the RF against Armenia was condemned.

Mr. Kharazyan, can we say that Moscow with recent actions in
Armenia-Russian, Russian-Azerbaijani relations (to some extent
also with messages around Russian-Georgian relations) succeeded
in strengthening its position in the region, which, in fact, the
Europeans record it clearly indicating about the pressure. – Again,
this is not the victory of Russia, but the bankruptcy of Armenia. The
thesis about the Russian pressures is deniable that Armenia allegedly
could not resist without endangering the country, thus it obeyed them.

This is the theory that if you please the peron facing you and fulfill
its any demand, then it will get enough and will not present a new
demand. This is a delusion, the demands will not only stop, but they
will grow and become tougher, resulting in eventually deficiency of own
resources and weak-willed. This is the most serious challenges facing
Armenia today, and joining the Customs Union does not restrain, but,
unfortunately, accelerates its oncoming. The President of Armenia
stated in Moscow that he has made a decision to join the Customs
Union taking both the international community and his own society by
surprise. I think that the Armenian society has a right to request to
reveal the grounds of such decision, whether necessary constitutional,
legal and procedural requirements were maintained when making such
strategic decisions: researches, public and inter-agency discussions,
motions, opinions, parliamentary hearings. If not, then it is necessary
to examine the constitutionality of the decision, and also whether
the President has not exceeded his official powers by declaring a
decision, in which he has autocratic right to it. This is, I think,
one of the main ways, with which the Armenian community can pursue
at least partially neutralizing the effects of what happened, both
up to Vilnius and beyond, forcing that the discussion of the issue
is not considered closed, but transferred to the Parliament and the
Constitutional court. The problem so far is reversible, and, I hope
that Armenia has not yet said its last word here. Emma GABRIELYAN

Read more at:

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN AND MOSCOW ENTREPRENEURS TO MEET WITHIN BUSINESS MARATHON 2013 PROGRAM

YEREVAN, September 11. /ARKA/. A group of Russian entrepreneurs
from Moscow will spend two days in the Armenian capital city in an
effort to establish direct and mutually beneficial trade links with
Yerevan-based peers.

They will come here on September 18 as part of Business -Marathon
2013 program, designed for Moscow’s small and medium-sized companies.

The goal of this program, which is a joint initiative of the
Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship of
Moscow municipality and Yerevan Municipality is to assist business
people in both capitals to boost Armenian-Russian trade. The Russian
delegation includes representatives of 10 Moscow-based enterprises for
which potential partners in Yerevan had been searched for two months.

On the first day of their meeting Russian and Armenian business
people will gather at a round table to listen to Armenian experts in
logistics, certification, patenting, banking and crediting.

During the second day, the participants will have business meetings
at the offices of Yerevan companies to assess their industrial and
commercial capacities and to discuss concrete details of cooperation.

They will also visit Yerevan-based industrial enterprises. -0-

14:04 11.09.2013

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

JULIA ZILBERQUIT: I PARTICIPATED IN CONCERTS DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND HOLOCAUST

SEPTEMBER 11, 11:55

World famous pianist Julia Zilberquit gave a concert in Yerevan on
Tuesday and participated in the opening of a new season of State
Youth Orchestra of Armenia.

During the press conference in Yerevan, Zilberquit shared her thoughts
about renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian and impressions
about Armenia.

The famous pianist said she had participated five times in annual
concerts dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust which are
held in New York.

“The concerts are held in a huge Saint John church in New York every
fall. It is usually attended by several thousands, including the
mayor of New York,” she said.

Julia Zilberquit noted she had performed the works of Aram Khachaturian
in the past.

“It is classics. Khachaturian is a part of our repertoire, just
as Mozart, Bach and Shostakovich,” she emphasized. “It is my first
visit to Yerevan. It is an amazing city, amazing people and wonderful
weather,” she added.

Russian-born American pianist Julia Zilberquit has earned critical
acclaim as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, chamber musician and
recording artist.

In 2008, Ms. Zilberquit premiered Slonimsky’s Jewish Rhapsody for
Piano and Orchestra, which was commissioned by and dedicated to her,
with Leon Botstein and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, in commemoration
of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel in Jerusalem.

PREMIER: ARMENIA REMAINS WILLING TO CONTINUE INTEGRATION IN EUROPE

YEREVAN, September 11. /ARKA/. Armenia remains steadfast in its
determination to continue integrating in Europe and implementing
reforms, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Wednesday as
met with his Belgian counterpart, Elio Di Rupo, in China where the
Armenian premier traveled to attend the World Economic Forum 2013.

Sargsyan expressed hope that Belgium will support Armenia in its
efforts to integrate in Europe.

According to the press office of the Armenian government, the prime
ministers described their countries’ economic things to each other
and outlined plans for the future.

Elio Di Rupo told the Armenian premier that signs of stabilization
have already emerged in Europe’s economy.

The Belgian and Armenian prime ministers also discussed bilateral
cooperation. In particular, they spoke about the accelerator created
under Belgium’s support for the oncology center that is being
constructed now in Yerevan.

On October 7, 2010, the Armenian government approved a draft
agreement to borrow ~@5,800,000 from Belgium’s KBC BANK NV
for acquiring a cyclotron radionuclide accelerator as part
of a program of the establishment of a nuclear medicine
and oncology center. The construction of the center was
estimated to cost ~@30-million. —0—- – See more at: